For some time it has been apparent that international censures do not either jolt Pakistan or halt its continuing material assistance to Islamic terrorism. A major reason behind this is the inadequate response of its immediate South Asian neighbours India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. These countries have been the worst sufferers of never-ending Pakistan-sponsored terror for years. An expert analysis of recent trends suggests that (a) the details of how Pak systematically undermines the anti-terror directives of the advanced G- 7 countries and their joint mechanisms, are not easy to access. This works as a major advantage for Pakistan, not surprisingly----it took the mighty US years before locating and killing Osama Bin Laden.

Following from this, (b) there occurs a deplorable lack of interest/initiative especially among Delhi-based policymakers, to lobby the Western counties, international financial institutions etc, about the continuing Pak perfidy, which also Islamabad capitalises on effectively.
No question, Pakistan’s South Asian neighbours are not winning the war against terror partly because of their own ineptitude.
In Afghanistan, the anti-terrorism drive is hamstrung by major administrative limitations routinely faced by Kabul rulers in their quest for democracy. Regardless of objectives, Afghans remain critically dependant on Pakistan’s active cooperation in their border regions to prevent rampant illegal smuggling/infiltration of men, equipment and toxic radical ideologies. Occasionally, the equivocal role played by Western countries and International institutions blocks their way to progress. Through some of their sudden decisions and endless parleys on various burning issues in the Afghan-Pak region and beyond, Western agencies frequently checkmate the effectiveness of any anti-terrorist initiative---more on this soon. Amazingly, the EU countries have hardly any independent policy of their own vis-à-vis Pakistan. They are almost entirely guided by US leadership and see things through Washington-provided glasses. As the bulk of men and equipment in military bases in the region mostly come from the US, this is unavoidable.
Now comes news that Pakistan may not face any serious punishment for its illegal terror-financing from the G-7 -created FATF (Financial Action Task Force), such as being l blacklisted, as hinted earlier. Barely months ago, Western news media and leaders were suggesting just the opposite. The West cannot be counted on to tighten the screws against Pakistan, beyond making sporadic drone strikes against suspected ‘terrorists’. Always people who target American assets, troops, personnel or interests, get punished, others rarely.
This is understandable. The US and Afghans cannot rule out the Pakistan factor altogether in their efforts to sponsor a politically credible pro-West regime in Kabul. Differentiating within the Taliban, categorising some as good and others bad, trying to engage them in negotiations,--- are parts of a strategy to get as many US soldiers back home as possible, with President Trump facing an election
As for India, until a decade or so ago, India could count on consistent Russian political/diplomatic support against Pakistan on Kashmir- related matters. Not any more. Reasons: (a) Moscow is upset to see Delhi as a’ US-declared strategic partner’ in geostrategic initiatives in South Asia, on land and the seas. Further, (b) Russia has its own priorities in the rapidly changing scenario in West / Central Asia region and in countering Islamic terrorism. Here, Pakistan as the biggest exporter/breeding ground of terror is a significant factor. This means, without Bangladesh and Bhutan (Thimpu’s role being more limited than others), Delhi cannot count on much dependable regional support against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s position, despite its pariah status, is somewhat better In this respect. It can count on China for consistent, all-time support. Earlier this used to be the case with US/West, which generally followed a markedly pro-Pak line upset as they were about (a) India’s tilt to the Soviet Union and (b) its non- alignment concept.
But the China- Pak ‘friendship’ ( more a master-slave narrative than a partnership !) remains an enduring element in the regional power-play, its contours defined by China’s financial involvements. A few facts of growing Chinese investments in Pakistan, taken from open-source information are :
Chinese FDI in Pakistan rose to $1.8 billion in 2017-18, from $1.2 billion a year before; in 2017-18, 55 new Chinese companies began operating in Pakistan, taking the total number of such companies to 145 at present.
Thus, in supporting Pakistan in its hard times, China really has no choice, it acts in its own interest. It needs Islamabad’s help to maintain its newly set up port at Gwadar and keep its One belt one road(OBOR) scheme going. It is protecting its own investments in a perennially troubled region. Further, a ‘vassal’ Pakistan will never stand with suppressed Uyghur Muslims or pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong, against China. Islamabad’s unconditional subservience strengthens China’s lever to be used more effectively against India, too, in stepping up the ante in Kashmir.
No wonder when China presided over FATF plenary session last October in Paris, Pakistan continued to remain in the grey list, but no one pressed for it to be pushed into a blacklist, belying doom scenarios projected by the Indian mainstream media. Beijing’s repeated refusal to put some top Pakistani figures such Hafiz Saeed on the list of international terrorists belonged in the same category.
Pakistan naturally benefits hugely from such gestures, cocking a snook at India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan-. All three have condemned it for meddling in their internal politics and exporting terrorism. etc What the West, the G-7 and FATF authorities do not realise is that they too have been taken for a ride, not just Delhi or Dhaka. The following facts show why.
By way of concrete action to stop terror funding, as ordered by the FATF, Pakistan till 2013 had taken steps against mostly small-time operators, freezing 36 bank accounts which held only $69, 492! According to the latest figures, (year not known), 4770 bank accounts have been sealed, but the reported deposits in them? $320,000 ---- not exactly a king’s ransom! Islamabad claims to have seized /taken over 190 properties, 82 madrasas, 25 schools, 13 offices, 70 hospitals, from Peshawar to Pakhtunkhwa and five other areas. Mostly, bare figures have been given, no other details. Apparently , such miserable details, provided without the benefit of much substantiation, are enough to convince the mighty G-7 countries of Islamabad’s noble intentions of fighting terrorism!
Meanwhile, Pakistan has managed to resume the payment of their monthly allowances to Hafiz Saeed, one of the founders of Lashkar-e-Toiba(LeT) and two fellow leaders Zafar Iqbal and Haji Mohammad Ashraf. Mr Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attack in 2008, is receiving Rs 150,000(Pak) a month of which Rs 50,000 is a pension provided by Islamabad apparently for his past heroics ! Similar facilities have been announced for his comrades as well. When the last reports were received, renewed efforts had been made for the immediate quashing of over 30 cases involving charges of terrorist activities against Mr Saeed.
Is it any wonder that Pak-sponsored terrorism still goes on? On Aug 29, 2019, Bangladesh accused Pakistan of sponsoring radicalism among Rohingyas at a large rally attended by 200,000 displaced people from Myanmar, at Chittagong. The ISI-backed Al Khidmat organisation had been the chief sponsor, its agents contacting Rohingyas who had received arms training in Afghanistan. Clearly, it was Bangladesh that was being exposed to clear and present danger. Along with the LET, the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Jamat-e –Islami continue their activities guided by their Pak-based mentors as before.
Islamic extremist groups have been pressuring Kabul by stepping up their activities for some time. Reports suggest that there have been defections within the Taliban. The more extremist cadres have joined the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) a new entity in the brotherhood of Islamic terrorism. No loss to the Taliban, LET men are filling the gaps, recruited through the ISI and its agents.
The fault lies with policymakers in Delhi, Dhaka and other authorities, for not being assertive or active enough. Bangladesh is clearly ahead in terms of taking strong, occasionally even pro-active action against extremist groups. , unlike India. But surely in 2020, more regional security consultations, advance planning and co-ordinations are needed, going well beyond orthodox procedures.